Phone how-to questions

Dial *#06# in the Phone app and the IMEI appears instantly. You can also check Settings > General > About on iPhone, Settings > About phone on Android, or the SIM tray and original box.Try: Free IMEI check

Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then switch on True Tone. You can also press and hold the brightness slider in Control Center and tap True Tone. It only appears on supported models.

On iPhones with Face ID, press the side button and volume up button together, then release. On models with a Home button, press the Home button and the side or top button together.

If Remote unlock was turned on with your Samsung account, sign in at Samsung Find on a computer and choose Unlock, which keeps your data. If not, the only fix is a factory reset with the buttons, and that erases everything on the phone.

Turn the phone off, plug it into a computer with a USB cable, then hold Volume Up and the Side button until the logo shows. In the menu, use the volume keys to pick Wipe data/factory reset, press Side to confirm, then Reboot system now. This erases all data.

Hold the Side button and Volume Down together for about 7 seconds until the screen goes black and the phone restarts. Let go, then as soon as the screen turns off, start the button combo for recovery mode.

Most newer Galaxy phones only open recovery mode while a USB cable connects them to a computer. Turn the phone off first, plug it in, then hold Volume Up and Side until the logo appears. Older models with a Bixby or Home button use different combos.

Yes, if it was reset without going through Settings. Factory Reset Protection asks for the Google account that was last signed in on that phone, and Samsung phones may also ask for the Samsung account. A different account will not work.

It is an anti-theft lock. After a reset done from recovery mode, the phone will not finish setup until you sign in with the same Google account used on it before. Remove the account in Settings before selling a phone to avoid it.

Use Google's account recovery page to find your email or reset the password, then sign in with that same account. If you just changed the password, the phone may make you wait about a day. Proof of purchase helps if you need carrier or maker support.

Yes. A factory reset deletes all photos, apps, messages and files stored on the phone. Anything backed up to Google Photos, Samsung Cloud, iCloud or a computer can be restored after you sign back in.

Turn it off, then hold Power and Volume Down until the bootloader screen opens. Use the volume keys to pick Recovery mode and press Power. At No command, hold Power and tap Volume Up, then choose Wipe data/factory reset. This erases all data.

Turn the phone off, then hold Volume Down and Power until the boot menu appears. Pick Recovery mode with the volume keys and press Power. At No command, hold Power and tap Volume Up, then choose Wipe data/factory reset. Everything on the phone is erased.

Usually not. Google removed the old remote unlock tricks, and Find Hub can only lock or erase the phone. Samsung's Remote unlock is the main exception, and it only works if it was turned on before you got locked out.

Turn the iPhone off, then hold the side button while plugging it into a computer, and keep holding until the recovery screen shows. In Finder or the Apple Devices app, choose Restore. This erases the iPhone, and it will then ask for the Apple Account used on it.

A shop can do the factory reset for you, but a legitimate shop cannot get past the Google or Apple account lock afterward. Bring the account email and password, and proof of purchase in case the maker's support is needed.

Press the power button and volume down button at the same time. You can also swipe the edge of your palm across the screen if Palm swipe to capture is turned on in Settings.

Press the power button and volume down button together, then release. Tap the preview in the corner to edit or share it, or find it later in the Photos app.

Take a screenshot, tap the preview, then choose Full Page at the top. It works in Safari and some other apps, and saves as a PDF you can store in Files.

Open the Find My app on another Apple device, or sign in at icloud.com/find, using your Apple Account. This only works if Find My iPhone was turned on before the phone went missing.

Go to Settings, tap your name, tap Find My, then Find My iPhone, and switch it on. Also turn on Find My network and Send Last Location so a powered-off phone can still be located.

Go to android.com/find or open the Find Hub app, then sign in with the Google account used on the phone. Location must have been on, and the phone needs power and a connection.

Connect to Wi-Fi, open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. You can also turn on iCloud Backup so it runs automatically when charging.

Connect the iPhone with a cable, then open Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows. Select your iPhone and click Back Up Now.

Open Settings, go to Google, then Backup, and turn on backup to your Google account. Tap Back up now to run it right away. Menu names vary a little by brand.

Turn on the new iPhone and hold it near the old one to start Quick Start, then follow the prompts. You can also restore the new phone from an iCloud or computer backup.

During setup on the iPhone, choose Move Data from Android, then install the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and enter the code shown. Keep both phones plugged in and on Wi-Fi.

During Android setup, choose to copy apps and data and select iPhone as the source. A cable between both phones is usually fastest. Samsung phones also offer the Smart Switch app.

During setup on the new phone, choose to copy apps and data, then connect the phones with a cable or restore from your Google account backup. Follow the on-screen steps.

Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. It shows a color bar by category and lists apps from largest to smallest, along with suggestions for freeing up space.

Open Settings and tap Storage. On Samsung phones it is under Battery and device care, then Storage. You will see usage by category such as apps, photos and videos.

Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage and follow the recommendations. Offload unused apps, delete large videos, and empty the Recently Deleted album in Photos after backing up.

Back up your photos, then delete large videos, unused apps and downloads. The Files app and Settings > Storage can point out large or duplicate files to remove.

Open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. Maximum Capacity shows how much charge the battery holds compared with when it was new. Older iOS versions use a slightly different path.Read: iPhone 17e Battery Draining Fast? Check This Before You Pay…

Newer Pixel and Samsung phones show battery health under Settings > Battery. On other phones, try the dialer code *#*#4636#*#* or the maker's diagnostics app. Options vary by model.

Press and hold the power button, then touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode prompt appears and tap OK. Restart the phone normally to leave safe mode.

No, iPhones do not have a safe mode like Android. If an app causes trouble, restart the phone, update iOS and the app, or delete the app that started the problem.

Back up first, then go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Sign out of your Apple Account when asked so the phone is not locked afterward.

Back up first, then open Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > General management > Reset. Remove your Google account if selling the phone.

Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears, then drag it and wait. You can also go to Settings > General > Shut Down.

Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM, then scan the QR code from your carrier or use your carrier's app. Some carriers activate it automatically or can transfer it from another iPhone.

Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and tap Add eSIM, then scan your carrier's QR code. On Samsung phones, look in Settings > Connections > SIM manager.

An eSIM is a SIM built into the phone that you activate digitally with your carrier, so no physical card is needed. Many phones can hold several eSIMs and switch between them in settings.

On iPhones, the setup process or Settings > Cellular can transfer your eSIM from your old iPhone. Otherwise contact your carrier for a new QR code. Android steps vary by brand and carrier.

Go to Settings > Cellular and add a second plan with an eSIM or a nano-SIM. Label each line, then choose which one is used for calls, messages and cellular data.

Open Settings, tap Personal Hotspot, and switch on Allow Others to Join. Then pick the iPhone's name in the other device's Wi-Fi list and enter the password shown. Your plan must support hotspot.

Open Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering and switch on Wi-Fi hotspot. Set a password, then connect your other device. Menu names vary by brand, and your plan must allow it.

Check that your plan includes hotspot, turn it off and on, and restart both devices. On iPhone, try Maximize Compatibility in Personal Hotspot settings. Resetting network settings can help if nothing else works.

On iPhone 12 and later with a recent iOS version, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn on Face ID with a Mask, then follow the scan steps. Older models do not support it.

Open Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper and choose a photo or preset. You can also press and hold the Lock Screen, then tap the plus button to create a new one.

Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and tap a tone to preview and select it. Custom tones can be added through a computer or by buying them in the Tone Store.

Open Settings > Sound & vibration and tap Phone ringtone, then choose a sound. You can also pick audio files stored on your phone. Exact menu names vary by brand.

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and switch off Auto-Correction. You can also turn off Predictive and Check Spelling there if you want the keyboard to stop suggesting words.

Open Settings > Display & Brightness and choose Dark. You can also set it to Automatic for sunset, or press and hold the brightness slider in Control Center and tap Dark Mode.

Open Settings > Display and switch on Dark theme or Dark mode. Most phones also let you schedule it from the same screen or add a toggle to Quick Settings.

Open Settings > Display & Brightness > Night Shift. Schedule it for sunset to sunrise or custom hours, and adjust the warmth slider. It makes the screen warmer at night.

Open Settings > Display and look for Night Light, or Eye comfort shield on Samsung phones. Turn it on and set a schedule if you want it to run automatically.

First add Screen Recording in Settings > Control Center. Then open Control Center and tap the record button, wait for the countdown, and tap the red status bar to stop.

Swipe down to open Quick Settings and tap Screen record. If you do not see it, edit the tiles to add it. Choose whether to record audio, then tap Start.

Back up the phone, connect to Wi-Fi and power, then open Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Update Now, or turn on Automatic Updates to have it install overnight.

Open Settings > System > System update, or Software update on Samsung phones, and tap Check for update. Keep the phone charged and on Wi-Fi while it downloads and installs.

Common causes are low storage, a weak Wi-Fi connection, low battery, or busy update servers. Free up space, plug in the phone, restart it and try again from Settings > General > Software Update.

Open Settings > Apps, pick the app, tap Storage, then Clear cache. Clearing cache does not delete your data. Clear data only if you also want to reset the app.

On iOS 18 and later, go to Settings > Apps > Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. On older versions, it is under Settings > Safari. This also signs you out of some sites.

Open Chrome, tap the three dots, then History or Settings, and choose Delete browsing data. Pick Cached images and files, select a time range, and confirm.

Open the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the info button next to the number, scroll down and tap Block this Caller. Blocked numbers are listed in Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts.

Open the Phone app, find the number in Recents, touch and hold it, then tap Block or Block and report spam. Exact wording varies by brand.

Turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone, or Caller ID and spam protection on Android, and block repeat numbers. Your carrier may also offer a free spam-blocking service.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and enter a number. On Android, open the Phone app settings and look for Call forwarding or Supplementary services. Your carrier may charge fees.

Open the Phone app, tap Voicemail, then Set Up Now. Create a password and record a greeting. Visual voicemail depends on your carrier, and some use a separate app.

Swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap Focus, and tap the active Focus such as Do Not Disturb to turn it off. You can also use Settings > Focus.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, tap Set Up Face ID, and move your head slowly in a circle twice. You can add an alternate appearance there as well.

Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your current passcode, and tap Change Passcode. You can choose a numeric code, a longer code or a custom alphanumeric one.

After repeated wrong tries, use the Erase iPhone option on the lock screen with your Apple Account password, or put the phone in recovery mode using a computer. Either way erases the phone.

On iOS 16 and later, open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button beside your network, tap Password, and confirm with Face ID or your passcode. You can also copy it from there.

Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, tap the gear next to your network, and tap Share. Confirm your identity and let the other phone scan the QR code.

Open Control Center, press and hold the network card, tap AirDrop, and choose Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes. Then tap Share on a photo or file and pick the nearby device.

Open the file or photo, tap Share, then Quick Share, and choose the nearby device. Both phones need Bluetooth and location turned on, and the other phone must accept the transfer.

Put the headphones in pairing mode, then open Bluetooth settings on your phone and tap the headphones from the list. On iPhone it is Settings > Bluetooth; on Android, Settings > Connected devices.

On iPhone, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring and choose a compatible TV. On Android, use Cast or Smart View in Quick Settings. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. On Android, look in Settings > Network & internet or the Phone app settings. Your carrier must support it, and you may need to add an emergency address.

On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data and choose a 5G option. On Android, go to SIMs and set the preferred network type to 5G. Your plan and area must support it.

Swipe down from the top of the screen (top right on iPhone) to open Quick Settings or Control Center and tap the airplane icon. You can also use Settings. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be turned back on afterward.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings and VPN settings, but not your photos or apps.

Open Settings > System > Reset options and tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. Saved Wi-Fi networks are removed.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Your apps, photos and data stay, but settings such as wallpaper, Wi-Fi and privacy choices return to default.

Open Settings > General > About and look at Model Name. The small text on the back of older iPhones, or the model number in About, can also help you identify it.

Open Settings > About phone and look for Model name or Model number. It is also printed on the box and sometimes on a label under the battery or SIM tray.

Open Settings > General > About and scroll to Serial Number. You can touch and hold it to copy. It is also printed on the original box and the SIM tray on some models.

Enter the serial number on Apple's Check Coverage page, or open Settings > General > About > Coverage. It shows whether the phone is covered by the limited warranty or an extended plan.

Open Settings > General > About and look at iOS Version. For Software Update details, open Settings > General > Software Update to see whether a newer version is available.

Open Settings > About phone and look for Android version. On Samsung phones, tap Software information. The same screen often shows the security update date as well.

Open Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times, then enter your PIN. Developer options will then appear in Settings > System. Samsung phones list Build number under Software information.

Switch the phone to silent mode with the ring/silent switch, or lower the volume with the side buttons. In some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, the sound cannot be turned off.

Swipe down from the top right to open Control Center and tap the flashlight icon. On the Lock Screen you can also press and hold the flashlight button.

Open Photos, tap Albums, then Recently Deleted, and select Recover. Deleted photos stay there for about 30 days before they are removed for good. A backup can help after that.

Open Google Photos, tap Library, then Bin or Trash, and restore the photo. Items usually stay for 30 to 60 days. Samsung Gallery has its own Recycle bin for about 30 days.

Press and hold the app icon, tap Remove App, then Delete App. You can also go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, pick the app, and tap Delete App.

Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. You can also switch off tracking for individual apps in the same list.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. On Android, open Settings > Location and use the toggle. You can also set location access for each app individually.

Go to Settings > Battery and switch on Low Power Mode, or add it to Control Center. It reduces background activity, and turns off automatically after the phone charges past a set level.

Open Settings > Battery and switch on Battery Saver, or Power saving mode on Samsung phones. You can also add it to Quick Settings and set it to turn on automatically at a chosen level.

Go to Settings > Battery and turn on Battery Percentage. It appears inside the battery icon on supported Face ID models. You can also see it by opening Control Center.

On iPhone, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and switch on Optimized Battery Charging. On Android, look for Adaptive charging or Protect battery in battery settings. Options vary by model.

Blue messages are iMessages sent between Apple devices over the internet. Green ones are regular SMS or RCS texts, which are used when the recipient has no iMessage or you have no data connection.

Open Settings > Messages and switch on iMessage. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple Account. Activation can take a few minutes, and you need Wi-Fi or cellular data.

On iOS 18 and later, open Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and switch it on, if your carrier supports it. It gives better chats with Android users, such as typing indicators.

On iOS 16 and later, touch and hold the iMessage and choose Undo Send within 2 minutes, or Edit within 15 minutes. Both options only work with other iMessage users.

Touch and hold an empty spot on the home screen until the apps wiggle, tap the plus button, pick a widget, choose a size, and tap Add Widget. Then tap Done.

On iOS 18 and later, touch and hold the app, tap Require Face ID, then Hide and Require Face ID. Hidden apps move to a locked Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library.

Open the recent apps screen, tap the icon above the app you want, and choose Split screen, then pick a second app. Not every app or phone supports it, and steps vary by brand.

Press and hold the side button and a volume button until the Emergency Call slider appears, then drag it. You can also set the side button to call after five quick presses in Settings.

Open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then Medical ID, and tap Get Started or Edit. Turn on Show When Locked so first responders can see it without unlocking your phone.

Turn the phone off, push a SIM ejector tool or a straightened paperclip into the small hole on the SIM tray, and pull the tray out. Some newer phones use only an eSIM and have no tray.

Almost all current phones use a nano-SIM. Some newer phones, including iPhone 14 and later US models, are eSIM only and have no SIM tray. Check your phone's specs or ask your carrier.

Open Settings > Passwords & accounts (or Accounts), tap Add account, choose Google, and sign in. You can add more than one account and choose which apps sync data.

Open Settings, tap your name, scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out. You will be asked for your password to turn off Find My. Choose which data to keep on the phone.

On your iPhone, go to Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Change Password. If you are locked out, go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to recover your account.

Open the photo, then touch and hold the text until it highlights and tap Copy. This is Live Text, and it works on iPhone XS and later with a recent iOS version.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size. On Android, open Settings > Display > Font size and style. Accessibility settings offer larger and bolder text options as well.

On iPhone, open Settings > Screen Time to see daily and weekly usage. On Android, open Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Both show usage by app and let you set limits.

Touch and hold text, drag the handles to select it, then tap Copy. Tap in the spot you want, then tap Paste. You can also double-tap a word to select it quickly.

Press and hold a word to select it, drag the handles to extend the selection, then tap Copy. Press and hold where you want it and tap Paste. Wording varies slightly by brand.

Swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and tap the flashlight button again. On the Lock Screen, you can also tap the flashlight button at the bottom left.

Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings and tap Flashlight. Many phones also let you add it to the lock screen or use a shake or button shortcut.

Open the Camera app and press either volume button to take a photo. Hold the button to start a quick video clip if that option is turned on in Settings > Camera.

On supported iPhone models, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display and switch it off. Turning it off can save a little battery.

Open Settings, tap Lock screen and AOD, then tap Always On Display and switch it off. You can also choose to show it only when you tap the screen.

Touch and hold the Lock Screen until Customize appears, then tap the plus button or pick Customize. You can change the wallpaper, clock style and widgets, or add several lock screens.

Open Control Center and tap Focus, or go to Settings > Focus. Pick a mode like Work or Sleep, choose which people and apps can notify you, and set a schedule if you want.

Go to Settings > Notifications, tap the app, and switch off Allow Notifications. You can also keep alerts but turn off sounds or badges for that app.

Press and hold the app icon, tap App info, then Notifications, and switch them off. You can also go to Settings > Notifications > App notifications and pick the app.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and turn off vibration or System Haptics. On Android, open Settings > Sound and vibration and adjust ring, touch and keyboard vibration.

Flip the Ring/Silent switch on the left side so the orange shows. On models with an Action button, it may be set to silent mode in Settings > Action Button.

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback and switch off Sound. You can also turn off Haptic there if the keyboard vibrates as you type.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. On Android, open Settings > System > Keyboard > On-screen keyboard and choose or add one.

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and choose Emoji. Then tap the smiley face or globe key on your keyboard to switch to emojis.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Language & Region. On Android, open Settings > System > Languages, then add or move a language to the top of the list.

Turn on automatic time zone in Settings > General > Date & Time on iPhone, or Settings > System > Date & time on Android. Location services should be on for it to update.

Your phone may have automatic date and time turned off or a weak connection. Turn on Set Automatically in the date and time settings and restart the phone.

Open the Clock app, tap Alarm, then tap the plus button. Set the time, repeat days and sound, then tap Save. You can also ask Siri to set an alarm.

Check the alarm is switched on, the volume is up, and no Bluetooth speaker or headphones are connected. The Ring/Silent switch does not stop alarms, but low volume can.

Open the Clock app and tap Timer, or swipe down to Control Center and tap the timer icon. Set the time and tap Start. You can also ask Siri.

Say the Siri wake phrase or press and hold the side button. Go to Settings > Siri to turn it on, choose how to activate it and change the voice or language.

Press and hold the power button or say Hey Google if it is set up. Open the Google app settings to turn voice activation on and train your voice.

Install Smart Switch on both phones or use the built-in version, then connect with a cable or wirelessly and choose what to send. Keep both phones charged and nearby during the transfer.

Open the share menu on a photo or file, tap Quick Share, and pick a nearby device. Both phones need Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and location turned on, and visibility set to contacts or everyone.

Hold the top of your iPhone near the top of another iPhone or Apple Watch, then choose Receive Only or Share. Both devices need to be unlocked and on a recent iOS version.

Open the Notes app, start a note, tap the camera icon, then choose Scan Documents. Line up the page, let it capture, and tap Save. You can also scan in the Files app.

Open the Google Drive app, tap the plus button, then Scan. Take a photo of the page, adjust the edges and save it as a PDF. Samsung phones also scan in the Camera app.

Open the Camera app, point it at the code and tap the link that appears. On Android, Google Lens or the Camera app does the same. Only open links you trust.

On iPhone, open the photo, tap Share, then Print, and pinch out on the preview to make a PDF you can save. On Android, use Google Drive scan or a Print to PDF option.

Open the Photos app, find a Live Photo, tap the Live label at the top left and choose Loop or Bounce. These play as animated clips and can be shared in Messages.

Open the photo in the Photos app and tap Edit. You can crop, rotate, adjust light and color, apply filters and mark up the image. Tap Revert to undo changes later.

On iPhone, open the video in Photos, tap Edit, and drag the yellow handles on the timeline. On Android, open it in Google Photos or Gallery and use the Edit or trim option.

Open the Camera app and tap the concentric circle icon at the top so it has a line through it. Go to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings to keep it off.

Go to Settings > Camera > Record Video and choose a resolution and frame rate. Higher settings look better but take up much more storage. On newer models you can also change it in the Camera app.

Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose High Efficiency. Also turn on Optimize iPhone Storage in iCloud Photos, delete duplicates and clear the Recently Deleted album.

On iPhone, turn on iCloud Photos in Settings > Photos. On Android, open Google Photos and turn on Backup. Both use your cloud storage, so check how much space you have.

Plug in the phone with a cable and use the Photos app on Windows or Mac. On Android, pick File transfer on the phone, then copy from the DCIM folder. Cloud sync also works.

Connect with a USB cable, tap Trust on the iPhone, then open the Photos app on Windows and choose Import. You can also use iCloud for Windows to sync photos.

Plug in with a cable and tap Trust on the phone, then find it in the Finder sidebar. Wireless options like AirDrop, Handoff and iCloud also work when both use the same Apple Account.

Plug in with a USB cable, swipe down on the phone and tap the USB notification, then pick File transfer. On a Mac you may need the Android File Transfer app or the maker's software.

Try another cable and port, unlock the phone and tap Trust or File transfer. Restart both devices and update your software. Charge-only cables will not transfer files.

Turn on Bluetooth on the phone, put the car in pairing mode through its audio settings, then select the car on your phone. Confirm any pairing code on both screens.

Plug your iPhone into the car's USB port or connect wirelessly if your car supports it. Make sure Siri is on and CarPlay is allowed in Settings > General > CarPlay.

Plug your phone into the car's USB port, or connect wirelessly if your car and phone support it. Accept the prompts and make sure the Android Auto app is up to date.

Turn Wi-Fi off and on, restart the phone and the router, and forget the network and rejoin it. Check you entered the right password. If it still fails, reset network settings.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to the network and tap Forget This Network. On Android, tap the network's gear icon in Wi-Fi settings and tap Forget.

Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, tap the gear next to your network, then tap Share and verify your identity. A QR code appears, and the password shows below it on many phones.

Open Wi-Fi settings, choose the network, then follow any sign-in page that appears. Avoid banking or sensitive logins on public Wi-Fi, and use a VPN if you can.

A full storage, old software, too many background apps or an aging battery are the usual causes. Restart the phone, update it, free up space and remove apps you do not use.

Restart it, update the software, delete unused apps and large files, and clear app caches on Android. Turning off animations or background refresh can help too. Aging batteries can slow older phones.

On Face ID models, swipe up from the bottom and pause, then swipe the app preview up. On Home button models, double-press Home. You rarely need to do this.

Swipe up from the bottom and hold, or tap the recent apps button, then swipe an app away. Some phones also have a Close all option. Force stop is in App info.

Press and hold the app icon, tap App info, then tap Force stop. This closes a frozen app. You can also find it in Settings > Apps.

Hold the power button for about 30 seconds until the phone restarts. If the power menu appears, you can tap Restart. This does not erase your data.

Force restart the phone with its button combination, which is safe and keeps your data. If freezes keep happening, update the software, free up storage and remove recently added apps.

Common causes are a failing app, outdated software, low storage or a bad battery. Update the phone, remove recent apps and, on Android, test in safe mode. Repeated restarts may mean a hardware fault.

Update the app and the phone software, restart the phone, then clear the app's cache on Android. If it still crashes, delete and reinstall the app.

On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile, then Purchased and download it again. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile, Manage apps and devices, then install it.

On iPhone, go to Settings > App Store and switch off App Updates. On Android, open Google Play settings, tap Network preferences, then Auto-update apps and choose Don't auto-update.

Go to Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, pick the one you want and tap Cancel Subscription. You keep access until the paid period ends.

Open Google Play, tap your profile, then Payments and subscriptions and Subscriptions. Pick the subscription and tap Cancel. Subscriptions billed through other companies must be cancelled there.

On iPhone, visit reportaproblem.apple.com and choose the purchase. On Android, open Google Play order history and request a refund. Approval is not guaranteed and time limits apply.

Go to Settings, tap your name, then Sign-In & Security or Personal Information to update details. Changing the sign-in email may require verification.

Open Settings > Passwords & accounts, tap the Google account and choose Remove account. Apps and data tied to that account will be removed from the phone.

Turn it on, follow the prompts, and use Quick Start with an old iPhone if you have one. You will connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with your Apple Account and set up Face ID or Touch ID.

Turn it on and follow the prompts to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with your Google account. You can copy apps and data from an old phone or backup during setup.

Sync them to iCloud on iPhone or your Google account on Android, then sign in on the new phone. Contacts can also be exported and imported as a vCard file.

Open the Phone or Contacts app, tap the plus button, enter the name and number, then tap Done. You can also add a number from Recents by tapping the info icon.

Open the contact, tap Edit on iPhone and scroll down to Delete Contact. On Android, open the contact, tap the three-dot menu and choose Delete. Synced contacts disappear from other devices too.

On iPhone, open Recents or the message, tap the info icon and choose Create New Contact. On Android, open the call log or message, tap the number and choose Add to contacts.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings and Blocked numbers. You can unblock a number from there.

Block the sender, then report junk by forwarding the text to 7726. On iPhone, tap Report Junk under a message from an unknown sender. Never tap links in unexpected messages.

Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and turn it on. Calls from numbers not in your contacts, Mail or Messages go to voicemail and appear in Recents.

Open the Phone app, go to Settings, and look for Call Screen to turn it on. You can then tap Screen call on an incoming call so the assistant asks who is calling.

Raise the call volume, make sure Bluetooth is off and remove any case blocking the speaker. Restart the phone. If one person cannot hear you, check the microphone is clean.

Check Do Not Disturb, airplane mode and call forwarding are off, then restart the phone and look at your signal. Also make sure the number is not blocked and your line is active.

Check your signal, make sure airplane mode is off and the sender is not blocked. Restart the phone and confirm iMessage or RCS settings are right. Full message storage can also be a cause.

Turn on mobile data and MMS messaging in your message settings and check your signal. Restart the phone. If you recently switched phones or carriers, you may need to reset APN settings.

Go to Settings > Messages and switch off Send Read Receipts. You can also turn them off for single conversations by opening the chat, tapping the name and adjusting the setting.

Open the group conversation, tap the group name on iPhone and switch on Hide Alerts. On Android Messages, tap the three-dot menu, then Details and Notifications to turn them off.

Open Messages, tap Edit or Filters, then Show Recently Deleted. Select the messages and tap Recover. They are kept for up to 30 days. After that, you would need a backup.

Sign in at icloud.com, open Account Settings, and under Advanced choose Restore Contacts. You can also restore the phone from an earlier backup, which may overwrite newer data.

Reinstall apps from Google Play's library, and restore data from your Google or Samsung backup during setup. Deleted photos may be in the Trash in Google Photos or Gallery.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular. On Android, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs or Data usage. Your carrier's app or account page shows plan totals most accurately.

Turn on Low Data Mode on iPhone or Data Saver on Android, use Wi-Fi when possible, and turn off auto-play video and background refresh. Download maps and music for offline use.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular and switch the app off. On Android, open Settings > Apps, pick the app, then Mobile data & Wi-Fi and turn off background data or mobile data.

Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming on iPhone, or Settings > Network & internet > SIMs on Android. Check your carrier's roaming charges or travel pass first.

Check your carrier's international plan, or install a local or travel eSIM if your phone is unlocked. Turn on data roaming only if your plan covers it, and use Wi-Fi calling to save money.

On iPhone, bars at the top show signal, and Field Test mode needs a special code on some models. On Android, open Settings > About phone > SIM status to see the signal strength.

Use the charger and cable that match your phone's fast charging rating, turn on airplane mode or Low Power Mode, and keep the phone cool. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable.

The phone may be too hot or too cold, or Optimized Charging is holding at 80 percent. Let it return to normal temperature, try another cable and check the port for lint.

Turn the phone off, then gently remove lint with a wooden or plastic toothpick. Do not use metal objects or liquid. Compressed air at a distance can help too.

Turn the phone off, unplug it and wipe the screen with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth. Avoid soaking it or spraying liquid directly. Use a mild screen-safe wipe for fingerprints.

Check that your phone supports wireless charging, then place it on a charging pad with the back centered. Remove thick or metal cases. Many iPhones also support MagSafe and Samsung and Pixel phones use Qi.

Open the Quick Settings panel and tap Wireless power sharing, or go to Settings > Battery > Wireless power sharing. Place the other device on the back of your phone.